# salvaging

/ˈsæɫvɪdʒɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈælvɪdʒɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/salvaging
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

to save something useful from damage, waste, or a wreck. You use it when most of something is lost but you still keep what you can.

For teachers: to recover usable material from wreckage, waste, or failure; to rescue value from a damaged situation.

## Examples

- They are salvaging wood from the old house.
- After the flood, volunteers spent days salvaging furniture and photos from damaged homes.
- While salvaging usable parts from the decommissioned ship, the crew documented each component for reuse in future vessels.

## Synonyms

Save

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.